The Best Way To Enjoy Beetroot

Beetroot has in recent times been referred to as a super food.

This purple tuber that is in the same family as sugar beet has mostly been shelved by many (myself included) because of its taste thereby preventing them from benefiting from its rich benefits.

You either love it or you don’t.

For those that consume it, the vegetable is usually eaten raw, mixed in salads, blended in juices and cooked in meat in some cultures.

It is also used as a food colourant to add colour to cooked food such as eggs and processed foods such as jam. Its leaves are also consumed in some cultures and have been said to have the texture of spinach.

It is easy to grow and does well in a wide variety of climates and soil types. Healthy soils are required though to produce nice, large, healthy looking and nutritious tubers.

It also fetches a good price at the market for those growing it commercially. As it requires minimal management and less financial input when compared to other crops, the return on investment makes it a viable venture.

Its retail price is also suitable for consumers since the richness of its texture and consistency requires it to be used in small quantities. This leads to minimal purchases which is fair to consumers.

Beetroot is rich in several vitamins and minerals.

◼Calcium, a mineral that is vital for the growth and strength of bones

◼ Folate, which is important for DNA and cell health

◼ Magnesium, which is a mineral that supports the healthy functions the immune system, nerves, the heart and muscles.

◼ Vitamin B-6, which supports metabolism and red blood cell production

◼ Phosphorous, a vital nutrient that helps in healthy teeth, bones, and in repairing cells.

◼ Iron, a compound that allows the red blood cells to ferry oxygen to all body parts

◼ Zinc, which helps wounds to heal supports the functions of the immune system, and promotes normal growth

◼ Manganese that helps in metabolism regulation and blood sugar levels.

◼ Copper, which helps in maintaining bones and blood vessels, making collagen, and also support the functions of the immune system.

Many people have expressed being put off from consuming this healthy vegetable because of its rich earthy and sometimes flat taste.

However, juicing it with papaya has been said to be one of the most enjoyable ways to enjoy the food and to reap from the rich minerals and vitamins it contains.

I juiced it myself and enjoyed it very much. Even though I could still taste the beetroot in the juice blend, I did not notice that element in it that had initially been putting me off from consuming the vegetable in other ways.

Recipe

1 large papaya

1 medium size beetroot

Preparations

Wash both the papaya and beetroot thoroughly under running water

Peel of the skin of both foods

Chop them into sizeable chunks and throw them into a blender

Blend the two together

Add water slowly as you go to the thickness of your liking

You may taste the blend to determine its sweetness that will come from the papaya

Add a sweeter such as honey or sugar to your liking if you wish

Pour the juice blend in a cup or glass and enjoy

The sweetness of the papaya will neutralise the earthy taste from the beetroot and will allow you to enjoy this super food and benefit from its rich nutrients.

Adding a sweetener to your juice may not even be necessary as papaya is a very sweet fruit in itself. The juice is also healthier without the added sugar.

The texture of the juice blend is also easy on the mouth and its colour is also very inviting.

Do try this recipe and experience it for yourself.

Sources:

Wikipedia.org

www.medicalnewstoday.com